Milwaukee Rotary Centennial Arboretum

Transformation of abandoned post-industrial land into an educational and recreational green space

Seeded with a $400,000 commitment from the Rotary Club of Milwaukee and developed by the Urban Ecology Center, the Arboretum is a place where all people can learn and have first-hand experience with nature. Spanning more than 40 acres, land has been remediated, restored and planted with native species – 2,700 trees, 4,300 shrubs and 60,000 grasses and wild flowers. A newly-planted native oak savannah ecosystem adds to the Center’s outdoor teaching space, expanding the educational programming possibilities. Designated a Children’s Forest by the U.S. Forest Service, it includes 3 outdoor learning areas and many "imaginature" stations for exploring. Projected to welcome 300,000 visitors per year, the Arboretum is a safe and inviting site for recreation in the heart of the city, a sanctuary of natural beauty, and a respite from otherwise hectic lives. A stone archway marks passage into the Arboretum, an enduring symbol of Rotary’s commitment to the community, environment, and education.